as in increased
being at a higher level than average
for a time there was an escalated interest in the historical figure following the release of the blockbuster biography
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in rose
to become greater in extent, volume, amount, or number
as the war between the two countries escalated, it threatened to become a global conflict
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in accelerated
to make greater in size, amount, or number
the president promised to escalate the government's program to combat the dreaded disease
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of escalated
Brett Samuels, The Hill, 12 Apr. 2025
Trust began eroding in the 1960s, as the war in Vietnam escalated and continued to decline after Watergate and worsening economic struggles.
—Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 12 Apr. 2025
Perez’s family has said the teen was suffering a behavioral episode at the time of the shooting and that authorities unnecessarily escalated the situation.
—Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 12 Apr. 2025
According to the clinic, the situation was escalated to senior leadership within hours, prompting an immediate investigation.
—Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 12 Apr. 2025
The situation has escalated quickly this week.
—Luke Smith, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
At the Township Theatre in New Jersey, the situation escalated so badly during a Saturday screening that management responded by banning unaccompanied minors from the movie.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 11 Apr. 2025
While the administration simultaneously escalated duties on Chinese goods to 125%, markets took the broader delay as a sign that Washington may soften its stance — at least temporarily — on the more disruptive elements of its trade agenda.
—Mackenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 10 Apr. 2025
The changes also escalated the trade war with China.
—Bailey Schulz, USA Today, 10 Apr. 2025
Verb
That has escalated fears of a massive trade war between the world’s two largest economies.
—Brett Samuels, The Hill, 12 Apr. 2025
Trust began eroding in the 1960s, as the war in Vietnam escalated and continued to decline after Watergate and worsening economic struggles.
—Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 12 Apr. 2025
Perez’s family has said the teen was suffering a behavioral episode at the time of the shooting and that authorities unnecessarily escalated the situation.
—Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 12 Apr. 2025
According to the clinic, the situation was escalated to senior leadership within hours, prompting an immediate investigation.
—Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 12 Apr. 2025
The situation has escalated quickly this week.
—Luke Smith, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
At the Township Theatre in New Jersey, the situation escalated so badly during a Saturday screening that management responded by banning unaccompanied minors from the movie.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 11 Apr. 2025
While the administration simultaneously escalated duties on Chinese goods to 125%, markets took the broader delay as a sign that Washington may soften its stance — at least temporarily — on the more disruptive elements of its trade agenda.
—Mackenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 10 Apr. 2025
The changes also escalated the trade war with China.
—Bailey Schulz, USA Today, 10 Apr. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for escalated
Adjective
-
Focusing on the upper end of the market makes a lot of sense for a company in the here and now, but increased premiumization could pose a threat to the future of the wine industry.—
Mike DeSimone,
Robb Report,
29 June 2025
-
Probation officers will get $15 million for pretrial services and courts will receive $20 million to support increased caseloads.—
Trân Nguyễn,
Los Angeles Times,
28 June 2025
Verb
-
In terms of the design, the mix of rose gold and rhodium plating on the dial brings an industrial feel to the timepieces.—
Sophie Furley,
Robb Report,
24 Dec. 2024
-
Novo Nordisk’s Fundamentals Over Recent Years Novo Nordisk’s revenue rose over 2x from 127 billion DKK in 2020 to 271 billion DKK for the last twelve-month period.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes,
24 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
The rebuild accelerated after Indiana traded then-two-time All-Star Domantas Sabonis, along with Justin Holiday and Jeremy Lamb to Sacramento for Haliburton, Buddy Hield and Tristan Thompson at the 2022 trade deadline.—
David Aldridge,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 2025
-
But a rebuild can be accelerated a lot with a special player like Haliburton.—
David Aldridge,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
While driving - Stick to the middle lanes and stay on elevated ground.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
1 July 2025
-
Keep a distance from tall, isolated trees or other elevated objects.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
1 July 2025
Verb
-
The White House did note that the tariffs can be expanded.—
Madeline Coleman,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 2025
-
Another commenter expanded on this, pointing to the food and utensil choices as dead giveaways of American eating.—
Daniel R. Depetris,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Net profit slumped 11% in 2024 to 2.3 billion baht ($71 million) while revenue stagnated at 33 billion baht amid weak consumer spending and higher costs related to distribution, staffing and store openings.—
Gloria Haraito,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2025
-
Key stat Muncy tied his career high with seven RBIs.—
Greg Beacham,
Chicago Tribune,
23 June 2025
Verb
-
Or the state could create a dedicated fund for local infrastructure to be augmented in years of high income tax revenues.—
Bill Fulton,
The Mercury News,
11 Mar. 2025
-
Analyzing the legendary unicorn tapestries hanging at the Met Cloisters in New York (augmented here by a gory new panel that depicts the suddenly fearsome animals disemboweling and impaling their aggressors), Ridley concludes that unicorns aren’t nearly as benevolent as most people think.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
9 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Escalated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/escalated. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share